Feds: Sex assaults number 284 at VA sites since 2007

by Bart Jansen - Jun. 8, 2011 12:00 AMGannett Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of people were sexually assaulted at Veterans' Affairs facilities since early 2007, and many cases weren't reported to the proper officials, according to a government report released Tuesday.

The Government Accountability Office reported there were 284 alleged assaults at VA medical centers and residential facilities from January 2007 to July 2010. They included 67 rapes, 185 cases of inappropriate touching, eight incidents of forceful medical exams, 13 cases of oral sex and 11 other assaults.

"When I first read this report, I was aghast," said Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. "It reminded me of a 1950s prison system - lawlessness, lack of security and reporting, and outright disregard for human dignity."

Not all cases were substantiated. The cases were reported to police but many weren't reported to agency administrators, as regulations require. For example, 42 alleged rapes weren't reported to the department's inspector general, as required.

Agency officials used a variety of precautions to prevent assaults, including increased observation of patients thought to pose risks to others, video surveillance, and locks and alarms.

But the GAO report found "significant weaknesses," including "poor monitoring" and "alarm malfunctions."

John Gingrich, VA's chief of staff, said the agency has taken several steps to combat sexual assaults, including setting up a central office to respond to allegations.

Miller described himself as "sickened" by the allegations and said the committee would hold a hearing on the report Tuesday. He said legislation introduced before the report was released aims to create safer facilities for veterans and staffers.

"Most disturbing is a question that has yet been answered: How widespread is this problem?" Miller said.